Thursday, February 4, 2016

The Clown in the Republican Tent

If there is one person in the presidential race who can say they understand all sides of the issues, it's Donald Trump -- because he's been on all sides of the issue.

Over the years, Trump has been a Reform Party candidate, an Independent, a Democrat, and now a Republican. His political leanings depend on the wind of the times and the members of the audience. He is a businessman, an entrepreneur, and most of all an entertainer. He owns casinos, football teams, has been twice nominated for Emmy Awards, is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, and until recently was owner of the Miss Universe Pageant. His interests are unfocused and fleeting.

One of the most revealing statements he has made came out in his memoir, The Art of the Deal: "I play to people's fantasies. I call it truthful hyperbole. It’s an innocent form of exaggeration—and a very effective form of promotion.”

Promotion. That's what his campaign is all about.

It's unlikely he understands that the office he's running for is more than just another CEO. It's the head of state of one of the most powerful nations in the world, an office that holds more than just financial power. It's an office that can and often does direct the movement of armies, governments, and entire societies.

He likely sees this as just another way to promote himself and his future business dealings.

Without a doubt, Trump is the wealthiest of all the candidates on both sides of the aisle. With an estimated worth of over $4,000,000,000 (that's four billion dollars), he probably feels that if the vote goes against him, he'll just buy his way into office. In effect, by saying he could stand in the middle of the street and shoot someone and never lose a vote, he is saying exactly that. The fact that someone, whose name has never been released, should nominate him for a Nobel Peace Prize, only serves to strengthen that idea.

That anyone should consider Donald Trump a serious contender for such a powerful and globally critical political office is confounding.

The Commentator

I have been writing speculative fiction for over 40 years, but only
recently have I been able to pursue it full-time. After retiring from
my position as an air traffic controller, I decided to devote myself to
my writing, not realizing I was trading one stressful career for
another. Nevertheless, through my short fiction and novels, at least I
have an outlet for my obsession with the written word.